Microphones

Microphones convert acoustic sound into an electric signal. They are, obviously, an essential part of a great live sound and PA setup, and a selection of great mics is essential. PMT Online stocks a fantastic range of all the best microphones by brands such as Shure, AKG, Rodeand many others! Orders over £99 are eligible for FREE Next Day Delivery, and you can also Reserve & Collect in-store.

Dynamic Microphones for Live Sound

For live use, typically a Dynamic Microphone is the best option, because they perform well in live situations as they can withstand a high sound pressure level without distortion. Industry standard examples of live mics such as the Shure SM58 are used for vocals, yet are versatile and can be used for the mic'ing of drums and guitar amps too.

Usually live dynamic microphones will have a cardioid (or sometimes hyper-cardioid) pick-up pattern which means the sound is picked up from around the front of the microphone. This suits live environments as unwanted surrounding noise is not received by the mic. PMT also stock variants including drum kit microphones and packages, head worn and lavalier microphones.

Condenser Microphones for Live Sound

Condenser Microphones are usually seen in recording studios as the main choice when recording vocals, but they can also be used live for more sensitive sound sources, overheads for cymbals, choirs and orchestral instruments.

Ribbon Microphones for Live Sound

Ribbon Microphones can offer a richer and more expressive sound, and be a perfect choice for using in front of guitar amps or for public speech.

How Many Microphones Do I Need For My PA/Live Setup?

No matter how small and simple your venue and PA, you should at the very least have two dynamic mics, but ideally three just in case. The bigger and the more gigs you host, the more you need more mics, including a good selection of different mics (dynamic, condenser, even ribbon) to cover any possible situation, including enough microphones to mic a drum-kit. Usually, if you're on a budget, a drum Microphone Packwill come handy!